Packaging device for cosmetic products

ABSTRACT

A packaging device comprising a container and a cover, the cover being hinged relative to the container about a hinge pin, the container comprising a first thread. The device also comprises a first portion connected to the container by the hinge pin, the first portion being capable of blocking the container when the cover is in a closed position; a ring freely rotatably attached onto the first portion, the ring comprising a second thread capable of engaging with the first thread of the container so as to threadably, removably engage the cover.

PRIORITY CLAIM

The present application is a National Phase entry of PCT Application No. PCT/FR2009/001464, filed Dec. 18, 2009, which claims priority from French Application No. 0950828, filed Feb. 10, 2009, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a packaging device suitable for containing a cosmetic product in the form of a powder, a gel, a liquid, a cream, or a paste, such as a foundation, a hair product or another makeup or personal care product. The packaging device hereof is also applicable to other applications, in particular in the field of household products. The invention is particularly adapted to packaging products with a high solvent content, in particular water content, which must be protected as much as possible from air, so as to limit the evaporation of the solvent(s) contained therein.

BACKGROUND ART

There are known packaging devices that comprise an articulated cover over a bottom, wherein a closing element or assembly makes it possible to lock the cover over the bottom in a removable manner.

A joint-type seal is arranged within the housing, all around a hollowing suitable for receiving the product. Such a housing, which is easily created, does not ensure sufficient sealing for certain applications.

Housings with more sophisticated designs are described in particular in the patent application EP 0 614 629. According to this document, the housing comprises an internal cover mounted in free rotation on the interior of an outer covering, the outer covering being articulated over a bottom comprising a hollowing. The internal cover, which rotations freely, may be fixedly connected onto the bottom so as to ensure the protection of a product contained in a hollowing formed in the bottom. The outer cover is articulated on the bottom such that, after uncoupling the internal cover relative to the bottom, the housing can be opened by pivoting, in light of an application of a powder brush contained in an auxiliary hollowing. Other than the relatively important blockage, this housing suffers from a major disadvantage due to the complexity thereof, the difficulty in use, in particular in opening, as well as in it's fragility and cost.

A packaging device to tightly seal a product, which is sturdy, simple to use and economical to manufacture, would provide distinct advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The packaging device hereof includes a receptacle and a cover, the cover being articulated relative to the receptacle around an axis of articulation, said receptacle comprising a first threading, and the cover comprising:

-   -   a first part connected to the receptacle by the axis of         articulation, the first part being suitable for blocking the         receptacle when the cover is in a closed position;     -   a fixed ring in free rotation on the first part, the ring         comprising a second threading suitable for becoming engaged with         the first threading of the receptacle in order to threadably,         removably engage the cover.

The packaging device hereof presents both the advantages of threadable housings in terms of sealing closure, and the advantages of articulated housings, in terms of ease and comfort of use.

The packaging device hereof makes it possible to ensure the re-covering of the receptacle by means of a non-moveable piece in rotation while the cover is being threadably closed, thus ensuring a better seal for the device and guaranteeing a better protection for the packaged product.

The packaging device hereof may comprise, in addition to the principle characteristics previously mentioned in the preceding paragraph, one or a plurality of the following characteristics, taking individually or according to any technically possible combination:

-   -   the first part of the cover comprises a clipping arrangement for         clipping in the ring on the first part;     -   the cover comprises a fixedly connected leg of the first part         suitable for providing articulation of the cover around the axis         of articulation;     -   the device comprises a sealing joint between the cover and the         receptacle, wherein the shape thereof is adapted to match the         contours of the receptacle;     -   threadable engagement and removal of the ring relative to the         receptacle causes the ring to be displaced in a direction         perpendicular to an opening plane of the device, the axis of         articulation being constructed so as to be displaced at a         distance at least equal to the displacement of the ring;     -   the cover is articulated relative to the receptacle by means of         a retarder comprising an external fixedly connected part of the         leg of the cover and an internal fixedly connected part of the         receptacle, the external part being moveable relative to the         internal part;     -   the device is created from a plastic material, zamak, metal,         alloys or a combination of the materials.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more evident from the description given below, provided for information only and in no way meant to be a limitation, with reference to the attached figures, among which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a packaging device according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the packaging device in an open position;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view along the AA′ axis of the packaging device illustrated in FIG. 2.

In all the figures, same elements bear the same reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The packaging device 10 illustrated in the figures is suitable for containing a cosmetic product in the form of a powder, gel, liquid, cream, or even a paste, such as foundation, a hair care product or other makeup or personal care product. FIG. 1 represents, in particular, an exploded view of the different elements composing the packaging device 10 according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 is the packaging device 10 assembled in an open position; and FIG. 3 is a section view along the AA′ axis of the packaging device 10 illustrated in FIG. 2.

The device 10 is formed by:

-   -   a receptacle 1 that is hollowed out, in a cylindrical shape,         comprising a bottom 16 suitable for containing the cosmetic         product, the receptacle 1 comprising a first threading 11 in the         upper portion thereof;     -   a cover 2, in a circular shape, formed by a first part 3 and by         a ring 4, the first part 3 being connected to the receptacle 1         by means of an axis of articulation 13 and being suitable to         cover up the receptacle 1, the ring 4 comprising a second         threading 12 suitable to become engaged with the first threading         11 of the receptacle 1;     -   a joint 14 creating a seal during the closure of the cover 2,         situated between the receptacle 1 and the cover 2, the joint 14         being advantageously created from a foam-type polyethylene         material, commercially available for example under the trade         name TRISEAL; and     -   an elastic retarder 20, enabling articulation of the cover 2 and         the receptacle 1 and making it possible to control the speed of         articulation of the cover 2, the retarder 20 comprising an outer         part 22 moveable in rotation around an internal part 21.

The first part 3 is formed by a flat part 5 in a circular shape and comprising an additional central thickness 8 in a circular shape which comprises, in the periphery thereof, a clipping means 6. The flat part 5 is suitable for pressing upon the contours 15 of the receptacle 1 when the cover 2 is in the closed position thereof, as represented in FIG. 3.

The first part 3 further comprises a fixing leg 7, substantially perpendicular to the flat part 5, comprising in the lower portion thereof a cylinder bore 9. The cylinder bore 9 is created so as to be able to receive the retarder 20, the retarder 20 being mounted by force into the cylinder bore 9 such that the outer part 22 of the retarder 20 is fixedly connected from the fixing leg 7 after the assembly of the retarder 20. The inner part 21 of the retarder 20 is blocked in rotation on the receptacle 1. Thus, the first part 3 of the cover 2 is articulated around the axis of rotation 13.

The circular-shaped ring 4 comprises an opening 23 suitable for being clipped onto the additional thickness 8 of the first part 3 by means of the clipping assembly 6.

The clipping assembly 6 makes it possible to maintain the ring 4 fixedly connected to the first part 3 during the articulation of the first part 3 around the axis of rotation 13, while also enabling the ring 4 to freely rotate around the first part 3, the ring 4 being able to freely rotate according to an axis perpendicular to the opening plane 30 of the device 10.

The outer part 22 of the retarder 20, in a cylindrical shape, comprises a plurality of grooves on the outer surface thereof, suitable for preventing the rotation of the outer part 22 on the interior of the cylinder bore 9 of the fixing leg 7. The outer part 22 is moveably rotated, along the axis of rotation 13, around the inner part 21. The inner part 21 leads from the outer part 22 to the level of an extremity 24, the extremity 24 having a rectangular shape suitable for blocking the rotation of the inner part 21.

The retarder 20 further comprises an elastic element, of the coiled spring type, enabling the articulation of the cover 2 without external intervention.

In a closed position, as represented in FIG. 3, the ring 4 is engaged onto the receptacle 1, then screwed onto the receptacle 1 by means of the threadings 11, 12. Thus, threadably engaging the ring 4 causes an axial displacement of the first part 3 such that when the ring 4 is entirely screwed in, the first part 3 covers up the bottom 16 of the receptacle 1.

Threadably engaging the ring 4 further exerts a pressing force onto this first part 3, thus ensuring a seal for the device 10 when the first part 3 is pressed onto the contours 15 of the receptacle 1.

The joint 14 in particular makes it possible to increase the integrity of the seal by being deformed under the pressing exerted by threadably engaging the ring 4, so as to match the shape of the contours 15 of the receptacle 1 when the ring 4 is screwed in.

According to one advantageous embodiment of the invention, the joint 14 is fixedly connected onto the flat part 5 of the first part 3, for example by gluing.

Screwing and unscrewing the ring 4 onto the receptacle 1 causes the ring 4 to be axially displaced in a direction perpendicular to the opening plane 30 of the device 10, leading to a displacement of the first part 3 along the same direction, the ring 4 and the first part 3 being clipped in.

Once the threading 12 of the cover 2 is no longer engaged with the threading 11 of the receptacle 1, the cover 2 is articulated around the axis of rotation by means of the retarder 20 such that the movement of rotation of the cover 2 frees up access to the packaged cosmetic product.

The articulation of the cover 2 is achieved without exterior intervention, in a manner so as to generate an aesthetic opening and a pleasing impression of fluidity and grace for the user.

When the ring 4 is threadably engaged or disengaged, the retarder 20 is further displaced by a distance substantially equal to the axial displacement of the cover 2. The extremity 24 of the inner part 21 of the retarder 20 is slidably mounted, along the axis of displacement of the cover 2, on the receptacle 1, between a first position corresponding to the ring 4 being threadbly engaged by the receptacle 1, and a second position corresponding to the ring 4 being clear of the receptacle—that is, when the two threadings 11, 12 have been disengaged.

When the user wishes to open the device 10, the ring is unscrewed 4 by pivoting around the first part 3 until the ring 4 is disengaged from the threading 11 of the receptacle 1.

The articulation of the cover 2 is thus achieved without exterior intervention, by the elastic retarder 20, the articulation of the cover 2 being further braked by the retarder 20 in a manner so as to generate an aesthetic opening and a pleasing impression of fluidity and grace for the user.

The articulation of the cover 2 is stopped by an abutment integrated into the fixing leg 7 coming into contact with the receptacle 1, the elastic retarding means 20 making it possible to maintain the device 10 in an open position as represented in FIG. 2.

The invention has been described in particular for packaging a cosmetic product, but nevertheless the invention is equally applicable for packing other products, such has household products. 

1. A packaging device comprising a receptacle and a cover, said cover being articulated relative to said receptacle around an axis of articulation, said receptacle comprising a first threading said cover including: a first part to said receptacle along said axis of articulation, said first part adapted for blocking said receptacle when said cover is in a closed position; and a ring fixed in free rotation on said first part, said ring comprising a second threading suitable for removably, threadably engaging said first threading of said receptacle.
 2. The packaging device according to claim 1, wherein said first part of said cover comprises a clipping assembly for clipping said ring onto said first part.
 3. The packaging device according to claim 1, wherein said cover comprises a leg fixedly connected from said first part suitable for enabling the articulation of said cover around said axis of articulation.
 4. The packaging device according to claim 1, comprising a sealing joint between said cover and said receptacle, wherein the shape thereof is adapted to match the contours of said receptacle.
 5. The packaging device according to claim 1, wherein the removable, threadable engagement of said ring relative to said receptacle causes said ring to be displaced in a direction perpendicular to an opening plane of said device, said axis of articulation being constructed so as to be displaced by a distance at least equal to said displacement of said ring.
 6. The packaging device according to claim 1, wherein said cover is articulated relative to said receptacle by means of a retarder comprising an outer part fixedly connected from said leg of said cover and an inner part fixedly connected from said receptacle, said outer part being moveable relative to said inner part.
 7. The packaging device according to claim 1, wherein said device is made from a plastic material, zamak, metal, alloys or a combination of any of said materials. 